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*Training and Workshops*

*Training and Workshops*

Owned by Charles Bogus
Last updated: Jan 02, 2025 by Ellen Rogers-Roy
8 min read

Blackboard, Academic Computing, and the Center for Academic Excellence will be hosting a series of workshops, office-hours, and one-on-one trainings for faculty in preparation for the transition to Ultra Course View. Below is a list of events and descriptions as well as registration links.

Blackboard Hosted Training

Instructor Webinar Series: Teaching in Blackboard Learn Ultra

The journey to digital teaching is a process, and we want to ensure you have the tools you need to be successful for both you and your students.

Whether you are brand new to teaching online or looking to make some improvements to what you have started, we designed a set of Live Webinars from basic topics to advanced in Learn Ultra. These are sessions to help give you the tools you need to succeed.

When: 

Fairfield University Hosted Training

Blackboard Ultra 101

Join us in this workshop to learn the basics of navigating an Ultra Course. We’ll discuss new ways to copy or build content, leveraging the Ultra toolset for student engagement and success, and practical strategies for transitioning existing courses from Original Course View to Ultra.

When: Monday, January 13, 2025 9:30am-10:45am *This session is Hybrid - Zoom and In-Person, NHS 210*

Register: Blackboard Ultra 101

When: Monday, January 13, 2025 6pm-7:15pm *This session is Virtual*

Register: Blackboard Ultra 101

Blackboard Ultra 301: What’s New in Ultra?

Join us for a workshop to learn how to create more engaging and effective online courses with Blackboard Ultra’s latest features. This workshop will cover how to use AI Conversations and Role Play to create interactive learning experiences, improve student learning with knowledge checks, print tests for offline accommodations, and improve your organizational skills with the enhanced Gradebook Overview.

When: Monday, January 13, 2025 11am-12:15pm *This session is Hybrid - Zoom and In-Person, NHS 210*

Register: Blackboard Ultra 301

Blackboard Ultra 302: Beyond the Basics

We’ll go beyond the basics and learn how you can engage students and enhance your teaching and learning experiences using third-party tools with Blackboard. Some tools we’ll look at include Zoom Appointments, Padlet, LinkedIn Learning, and more.

Blackboard Ultra Open Forum

Join us for an open forum to share ideas and best practices on how you’re using Blackboard Ultra to create more engaging learning experiences. This session will provide a platform for faculty to share their successes and challenges in utilizing Blackboard Ultra - including integrated tools like Padlet or Kaltura - for their courses or organizations.

In this workshop, we will cover how to build an online exam using the question and test design features available in Ultra. We’ll discuss test security, student accommodations, and grading features to ensure a smooth testing experience.

When: 

  • November 14, 2024 2pm - 3:15pm

  • November 18, 2024 10am-11:15am

Join us for a virtual session to explore the latest features and improvements in Ultra. We’ll discuss recent updates and welcome your feedback. Share your thoughts on current features and let us know what you’d like to see in future releases.

When: 

  • Every Second Tuesday from 2pm to 3pm

Blackboard Office Hours

The Blackboard team is here to help you get the most out of Blackboard Ultra! Join us for our weekly virtual office hours, where we'll dive deep into the latest updates and answer your questions about the Ultra interface. Seating is limited, so please sign up in advance. Academic Computing will forward you the meeting invitation after you register.

When: 

  • Every other Thursday in June and July, 1pm - 2pm

Blackboard Trainings for Fairfield Faculty

Blackboard and Academic Computing will host 4 two-hour trainings that dive deep into the transition to Ultra between Spring 2024 and Fall 2024. Space is limited (20 seats per session)! Details can be found on the registration page, linked below.

When: 

  • Transitioning Original Courses to Ultra Tuesday, April 23rd 2pm - 4pm

  • Empowering Instructors with the AI Design Assistant, April 25th 2pm - 4pm

Ultra 101: Navigating Ultra Course View

Join us in this workshop to learn the basics of navigating an Ultra Course. We'll discuss new ways to copy or build content, leveraging the Ultra toolset for student engagement and success, and practical strategies for transitioning existing courses from Original Course View to Ultra. 

Sneak Peek Video: Blackboard Ultra Course View

When: 

  • August 19, 2024 9am - 12pm

  • August 20, 2024 9am - 12pm

  • August 26, 2024 5:30pm - 7:15pm

  • April 16, 2024 10am - 11:15am

  • April 16, 2024 6pm - 7:15pm (Virtual)

  • May 21, 2024 9:15am - 10:30am (Virtual)

Ultra 102: Transition Original Courses to Ultra

We'll dive deeper into the process of transitioning course from Original to Ultra Course View. We will examine features unique and/or common to Original and Ultra Courses which should help you plan for your own individual transition to Ultra.

Sneak Peek Video: Blackboard Ultra Course View

When: 

  • April 17, 2024 11am - 12:15 pm

  • April 17, 2024 6pm - 7:15pm (Virtual)

Ultra 201: Assessments and Grading

Leverage Blackboard Ultra for collecting and grading student work.  In this workshop, we'll learn how to create tests (with or without Respondus Lockdown Browser), individual and group assignments, and set up discussions to engage students. Then use the gradebook to provide personalized feedback, track student progress, and send early alerts for at-risk students.

Interested in learning more on your own? See Blackboard Ultra Assessments and Blackboard Ultra Gradebook

When: 

  • August 19, 2024 1pm - 4pm

  • August 20, 2024 1pm - 4pm

  • Wednesday, February 28, 2024 5:00 - 6:30 pm

  • Thursday, February 29, 2024 1:00 - 2:30 pm

  • May 21, 2024 10:45am - 12:15pm (Virtual)

Ultra 301: What's New in Ultra?

Blackboard Ultra releases updates on a regular basis, and in this workshop we'll cover some of the more innovative features available to you now. Explore the latest tools and functionalities that Blackboard Ultra Course View has to offer, empowering you to create engaging and effective learning experiences. For a sneak peak at the topics we'll discuss, see the Blackboard Ultra Roadmap.

When: 

  • August 21, 2024 10am - 12pm

Ultra 302: Beyond the Basics

We'll go beyond the basics and learn how you can engage students and enhance your teaching and learning experiences using third-party tools with Blackboard.

When: 

  • August 21, 2024 1pm - 3pm

Blackboard Ultra In-Person Office Hours

The Academic Computing team will be in NHS 218 and NHS 218A to answer any Blackboard Ultra questions. Register is encouraged, but you’re welcome to drop in by during the hours posted below.

When: 

  • May 24, 2024 10:30am - 12:pm and 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Making the Switch to Blackboard Ultra Course View

Curious about Ultra and how it compares to Original Course View? Join us in this workshop to learn the basics of navigating an Ultra Course. We'll discuss new ways to copy or build content, leveraging the Ultra toolset for student engagement and success, and practical strategies for transitioning existing courses from Original Course View to Ultra.

Sneak Peek Video: Blackboard Ultra Course View

When: 

  • Tuesday, March 21, 2023 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

  • Wednesday, March 22, 2023 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm 

  • Thursday, March 23, 2023 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm

  • Monday June 12, 2023 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

  • Tuesday June 20, 2023 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm

  • Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 1pm

  • Thursday, November 20th at 6pm

Registration: 

Blackboard Ultra Assessments

An LMS is a convenient option for collecting assessments and providing grades and feedback to students no matter your course modality. Learn how to create individual and group assignments using Ultra Course View, assign tests and quizzes, including enabling Respondus LockDown Browser, and how to set up a discussion board.

Interested in learning more on your own? See Blackboard Ultra Assessments

When:

  • Wednesday, April 12, 2023 11:00 am -12:15 pm

  • Tuesday, April 18, 2023 1:30-2:45 pm

  • Wednesday June 14, 2023 4:15pm - 5:30 pm

Communication and Community Building in Blackboard Ultra

Whether your course in in-person, hybrid, or fully online, there's a plethora of tech tools available to help you connect with your students. In this workshop, we'll look at how you can leverage Blackboard Ultra to communicate with your students and build a virtual community. We'll talk about Blackboard Ultra's built-in tools such as announcements, messages, and the discussion board, as well as ways to link to or embed your favorite tech tools such as Padlet or Microsoft Teams.

Interested in learning more on your own? See Blackboard Ultra Communication Tools

When:

  • Thursday, April 13, 2023 1:00 - 2:15 pm

  • Tuesday, April 18, 2023 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

  • Monday June 12, 2023 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

  • Tuesday June 20, 2023 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm

Setting Up Your Ultra Gradebook

The Ultra Course View Gradebook provides faculty with more control than ever before. We'll explore the different grade book views including how to search by student or assignments and setting up the overall grade (previously referred to as the Total and/or Weighted Total columns in Original Course View). We'll also walk through the steps to grade an assignment (whether it's an Ultra assessments or a manually created column), provide feedback, and posting the students grades.

Interested in learning more on your own? See Blackboard Ultra Gradebook

When:

  • Tuesday, April 25, 2023 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

  • Thursday, April 27, 2023 5:30 - 6:45 pm

  • Thursday June 22, 2023 2:30 - 3:45 pm

Making the Switch to Blackboard Ultra Course View

Curious about Ultra and how it compares to Original Course View? Join us in this workshop to learn the basics of navigating an Ultra Course. We'll discuss new ways to copy or build content, leveraging the Ultra toolset for student engagement and success, and practical strategies for transitioning existing courses from Original Course View to Ultra.

Sneak Peek Video: Blackboard Ultra Course View

When: 

  • Tuesday, March 21, 2023 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

  • Wednesday, March 22, 2023 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm 

  • Thursday, March 23, 2023 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm

  • Monday June 12, 2023 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

  • Tuesday June 20, 2023 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm

  • Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 1pm

  • Thursday, November 20th at 6pm

Blackboard Ultra Assessments

An LMS is a convenient option for collecting assessments and providing grades and feedback to students no matter your course modality. Learn how to create individual and group assignments using Ultra Course View, assign tests and quizzes, including enabling Respondus LockDown Browser, and how to set up a discussion board.

Interested in learning more on your own? See Blackboard Ultra Assessments

When:

  • Wednesday, April 12, 2023 11:00 am -12:15 pm

  • Tuesday, April 18, 2023 1:30-2:45 pm

  • Wednesday June 14, 2023 4:15pm - 5:30 pm

Communication and Community Building in Blackboard Ultra

Whether your course in in-person, hybrid, or fully online, there's a plethora of tech tools available to help you connect with your students. In this workshop, we'll look at how you can leverage Blackboard Ultra to communicate with your students and build a virtual community. We'll talk about Blackboard Ultra's built-in tools such as announcements, messages, and the discussion board, as well as ways to link to or embed your favorite tech tools such as Padlet or Microsoft Teams.

Interested in learning more on your own? See Blackboard Ultra Communication Tools

When:

  • Thursday, April 13, 2023 1:00 - 2:15 pm

  • Tuesday, April 18, 2023 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

  • Monday June 12, 2023 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

  • Tuesday June 20, 2023 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm



One-on-One or Department Training

Interested in learning more about Ultra, but can't attend one of our scheduled workshops? Looking for more individualized training as you build your course(s) or want to plan a group workshop for your department or program? Send an email to academiccomputing@fairfield.edu and one of our team members will reach out to schedule a meeting.

Contact the ITS Help Desk in the Library Room 230 or at (203) 254-4069 for assistance.